Theory of Plate Tectonics Quiz

Which combination of the following theories was most directly responsible for the development of the Theory of Plate Tectonics?

• Continental Drift and Seafloor Spreading

• Pangaea and Special Relativity

• Heliocentric Solar System and Continental Drift

• Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection and Germ Theory

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

These facts most closely correlate to which Scientific Theory? - Fossils of the plant Glossopteris were found across the Southern continents - Glacial deposits were found in tropical areas - Modern continents have a "jig-saw puzzle" appearance as if they could fit together in many instances

• Seafloor Spreading as proposed by Harry Hess

• Continental Drift as proposed by Alfred Wegener

• Plate Tectonics as proposed by John Nash

• General Relativity as proposed by Albert Einstein

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

Which scientist is associated with the proposal of Continental Drift?

• Alfred Wegener

• Harry Hess

• Marie Curie

• Robert Peary

What is the significance of the edges of many continental plates fitting together like "puzzle pieces"?

• It supports the theory of Seafloor Spreading.

• It supports the theory of Plate Tectonics.

• It supports the theory of Continental Drift.

• It supports the theory of Aurora Borealis.

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

What documented proof led to the conclusion that the plates containing continents and ocean floor are always moving?

• Most scientists did not believe Wegener because he was a meteorologist.

• The bathymetric dating and mapping of the ocean floor found younger rock near mid-ocean ridges.

• The dating of ocean rock found much older rocks near mid-ocean ridges.

• The boundaries of continents fit together like a puzzle.

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

The diagram is showing a period of plate movement in Earth’s history. Why would studying plate movement be important to scientists that study geologic time?

• In this time period, there were many less species of organisms on Earth.

• During this time period, man had developed the theories of continental drift and plate tectonics.

• The study of plate tectonics can help scientists predict future locations of continents and oceans if movements continue in the same directions.

• It is the only time that continents had moved and similar fossils of organisms were found on many continents that were once joined together.

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

The theory of plate tectonics is a result of —

• similar fossils being found on all continents

• knowing that Pangea was a super-continent

• why the oceans and continents have always been in the same locations

• finding older rocks near continents and younger rocks near the center of oceans

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

Which of these is best explained by the theory of plate tectonics?

• Formation of mountains

• Extinction of the dinosaurs

• Presence of meteor craters

• Formation of continental glaciers

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

NGSS.HS-ESS2-1

Which of the following best describes how plate tectonics form mid-oceanic ridges?

• Plates move up and down in opposite directions; friction pushes rock up from the plates.

• Plates slide past each other under the ocean; shaking occurs as the plates rub each other.

• Plates move together under the ocean; one plate may sink under the other.

• Plates move apart under the oceans; new rock that forms below may move up.

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

NGSS.HS-ESS2-1

How are mid-ocean ridges formed?

• Colliding / convergent boundaries

• Spreading / divergent boundaries

• Sliding / transform boundaries

• Deep ocean trenches

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NGSS.HS-ESS2-1